Being Blindsided

Have you ever been blindsided? This term is synonymous with driving a vehicle or playing football. But in your everyday life, what areas were you blindsided? And what faithful melody did you hear as you rose from the distraction of being blindsided?

I like these definitions of ‘blindside’ proffered by The Free Dictionary: “The side on which your vision is limited or obstructed.” And “To attack where a person is vulnerable.”

When I think of limitations and obstructions to my vision or even attacks on my vulnerable places, I think about how much more I need to be aware of my surroundings, what I carry, and remember. What do you think of it? Here is what I mean:

From the end of Spring 2022 to July 2022, my husband and I had to deal with some financial challenges to two of our three cars. The one blessing was that our third car (my car) – the 2008 Honda – was finally paid in full. Now, we have three titled vehicles! But then, my husband’s 2004 Kia began having problems. He should not have been driving it in such a state. Oh, but the protection of ABBA! Our son’s 2015 Hyundai in Phoenix needed a new engine. Do you know how expensive car engines are?!

And this was part of my vulnerable side. I felt attacked with that expense from the Kia – $1500 for repairs. We paid off our debt and received new debt. Blindsided. I wasn’t expecting that. I didn’t see that coming. Then there would be the other costs for the Hyundai. But concerning knowing my surroundings and what I carry, here is what my husband and I decided to do: Pray, remember, and be still. What do I mean?

Instead of fussing about the possibility of having to pay upwards of $5000 for a new engine, we prayed for our son, who was in a season of wait after not receiving the position we all thought he had. I prayed for guidance around my heart to be free from bitterness. I began praising God for new opportunities for our son and the extra income. Looking back in laughter, I remember saying to God, “Lord, Phoenix is an expensive place, and our son needs a hand.” I remembered what God did in the past and held onto the fact that He would do it in the present. Then I left the matter alone.

The Praise Report

In July 2022, we learned that Hyundai supplied the engine for free! All we had to pay was $438. The Kia expense (which was our blindside) was $1500. I cringed! The Lord reminded me about the investment savings vehicles I created years ago with Acorns and Qapital. I had more than enough there to pay for this unexpected expense! The other blessing was that our son was being taken care of during his season of wait, with contract and touring opportunities. As he shared his times of reflection and meditation of the last two years with his dad and me, it was clear how he had learned to wait upon the Lord. The season of wait – that’s a whole piece for another time! LOL.

Here are the lessons I learned through this experience of being blindsided:

1. There is power in prayer. When I spoke God’s words to the situation, He acted on my behalf. When I delight, commit, and be still before the Lord, He works on my behalf (Psalm 37).
2. There is power in remembering. God did it yesterday; He will do it today. Tomorrow is in His hand, ready to be released at the appropriate time of my present. God reminded me of my savings investments and that I had more than enough.
3. There is power in waiting/resting. The phrase “be still and know that I am God” regurgitates so much strength. There is safety when you do not worry but rest in His care (I Peter 5:6-7).
4. The faithful melody I heard as I wrote this piece is “I Thank God” by Upperroom & Maverick City Music. The line “He picked me up, He turned me around, He placed my feet on solid ground!” powerfully sings in my spirit.

What is your blindside story, and how did you respond? What are some things you learned? What did you remember about God? And, what is your faithful melody?